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Archive for Domestic Violence

15th September 2016

Melinda Korosi (33) was murdered on 15th September 2016 at her home in Orton Road, Carlisle. She was beaten to death with a sharpened rock.

Ms Korosi was an English language teacher. She had two children and was a Hungarian national.

In March 2017, at Carlisle Crown Court, Miklos Verebes (29), Ms Korosi’s former partner and the father of her children, was found guilty of murder and three counts of rape between 2013 and 2016. He was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years before he could be considered for parole.

Jurors watched a video of a police interview that Ms Korosi gave six days before her death in which she outlined regular sexual, physical and emotional abuse that she suffered at the hands of Verebes. Verebes had previously been jailed for an assault on Ms Korosi. He was also a Hungarian national.

Verebes murdered his Ms Korosi just two days after he was released without charge after she had reported to police that he had repeatedly raped her.

The Court heard Ms Korosi had already been classed as at high risk of harm following an assessment by an independent domestic violence adviser.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the contact that Ms Korosi had with Cumbria Constabulary.

Two Cumbria detectives are facing a misconduct inquiry.

An IPCC spokeswoman said: “Based on the evidence collected so far the IPCC investigator has decided there is an indication of misconduct by a detective constable and a detective sergeant at the force. Both officers have been notified. All other officers involved in this case are being treated as witnesses at this time.”

Following Verebes’s convictions, Ms Korosi’s mother Marta Hegyi Csiscman said she loved her daughter with her “whole heart”. She said: “It is very difficult to accept that she is no more, I can never embrace her again and I cannot help her achieve her goals. There are many questions and I don’t know if there will ever be answers to them, I only know that my big daughter of whom I was always proud did not deserve this and she will never be able to tell me what had happened and why. She can never make her dreams come true and cannot raise her children and I can never help her in anything anymore.”

by Jean Calder

The 1993 racist murder of Black London teenager Stephen Lawrence was followed by a bungled police investigation. This led to a high profile campaign by the Lawrence family and a public inquiry by Sir William Macpherson in 1998. What emerged was that police investigating the murder had stereotyped the young Black victim, failed to gather evidence and proceeded on the assumption that he or his companion must have acted improperly or illegally. The police could or would not recognise racist assault. Macpherson’s eventual finding that the Metropolitan Police was “institutionally racist” sent a depth-charge through British policing and led to changes in national policing policies and practice.

Over the years there have been improvements in police attitudes to race and racist crime. Hate-crime laws have provided some protection to minority ethnic groups as well as several other groups subject to discrimination – and have enforced a change of attitudes.

However, one group of people hate crime legislation does not protect, despite the discrimination and targeted violence they face, is women. As a consequence, there is little recognition of the need to address institutional sexism within the police and the way in which it may impact upon the investigation of crimes targeted at women. The tragic death of Shana Grice provides a stark example.

Shana Grice, a white nineteen-year-old living in Portslade, on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove, was murdered on 25th August 2016. She had had a brief relationship with Michael Lane, a mechanic and former work colleague. He was physically larger and heavier than Shana and, at 27, a lot older. When she rejected him, he harassed and stalked her mercilessly. When it became clear he would not be able to bully her back into a relationship, he slit her throat, disabled fire alarms in her flat and set light to her body. Immediately after he killed her, he stole cash from her bank account and then went to check his lottery ticket. He had told a friend “She’ll pay for what she’s done.”

Shana was a courageous young woman who had reported Lane’s behaviour to family, friends and an employer – and had repeatedly complained to the police, at least five times in the last seven months of her life. The police failed either to take her seriously or to protect her. In fact, when Shana reported Lane had assaulted her by pulling her hair and trying to grab her phone, the police fined her, blaming her for wasting police time and “making a false report”. No action was taken against Lane.

Thereafter Lane followed Shana, fitted a tracker on her car, publicly humiliated her, slashed her tyres, and intimidated her with anonymous calls. In the month before he killed her, Lane stole her keys and broke into her bedroom to watch her sleep. He admitted what he had done, but instead of charging him, the police issued a Caution. The next day Shana reported several calls from a withheld number, including one with heavy breathing, but the police told her there were no further lines of inquiry and the case would be left on file. Two days later she told the police Lane had followed her, but the police deemed the incident “low risk” – despite it being well known that the most dangerous time for an abused woman is when she flees a relationship.

The jury took just two hours and twenty minutes to find Lane guilty. Sentencing him to Life in prison with a minimum of 25 years, Judge Nicholas Green said he had no doubt the killing was premeditated and carried out in revenge. He went on to severely criticise Sussex Police, saying of Shana “..tragically when she sought help from the police she received none.” In a fascinating echo of the Macpherson report, he said that the police had “stereotyped” Shana Grice, when she reported Lane, treating her as a “wrongdoer” and Michael Lane as a “victim”.

The Judge stated “there was seemingly no appreciation on the part of those investigating that a young woman in a sexual relationship with a man could at one and the same time be vulnerable and at risk of serious harm.” He commented that the police’s position had had three “potentially serious consequences”, namely: that the police treated all further complaints with “scepticism”; that Shana Grice was reluctant to report further incidents; and that Lane believed it “most unlikely” that the police would do anything to stop him if he continued.

Shana’s grieving mother Sharon Grice said: “We firmly believe her murder could have been avoided if her fears had been taken seriously by police. Michael Lane had been harassing, stalking and pressurising her for over a year. Her life became a nightmare which we believe had affected her mental and physical health.”

There will be the usual investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). It may well add to the long list of IPCC reports highlighting police failures in respect of stalking and domestic homicide. It is to the credit of Bernie O’Reilly, Deputy Chief Constable of Sussex Police, that he has already apologised to the family. However, there is no reason why the public should take on trust his assurance that “We have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of how we deal with cases of stalking and harassment and we have now taken on the learning and our approach is more robust.” Police Commissioner, Katy Bourne’s call for a full review of all stalking cases in Sussex is therefore necessary and welcome. However, it is not enough.

This is not just an issue about stalking – or sexual assault, domestic homicide, or any other of the crimes of which women are the usual victims – but about police attitudes to women. The question to be addressed is to what extent sexist prejudice within Sussex Police force may have protected the abuser and exposed his victim to further attack.

Lane terrorised and then murdered Shana, finally desecrating her body by fire. His offences were rooted in sexism, revealing an obsessive desire for control over this very young woman and a deadly refusal to accept rejection. He lied repeatedly, persuading the police that he was not an abuser, but the victim of an unfaithful girlfriend who made malicious and false allegations against him. It is what some weary domestic violence workers call the “slag defence”, where a male perpetrator avoids detection, a finding of guilt or an adequate sentence, by appealing to prejudices about women. Defence lawyers use it in homicide trials, where the reputations of dead women are regularly trashed, to the immense distress of their loved ones.

Sussex Police do need to get their policies and procedures right, but unless they confront the sexism and prejudice within their force, amongst male and female officers alike, poor practice will continue – and there will be many more victims.

I hope that Shana Grice’s courageous family will call for a public inquiry into her death and the role that institutional sexism and associated neglect may have played in it.

Died July 2016

Samia Shahid (28), a British woman from Bradford, was killed in July 2016 in northern Punjab, Pakistan, in a so-called honour killing. She was reportedly strangled with a scarf.

Ms Shahid’s former husband Chaudhry Muhammad Shakeel has admitted to her murder. Her father Chaudhry Mohammad Shahid has been held as an accessory.

Ms Shahid worked as a beautician. She had filed for divorce and married her second husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam in the UK. Her first marriage was arranged, the second, in 2014, was her own choice.

Ms Shahid’s relatives initially claimed she died of a heart attack, but her husband always believed she had been murdered. He campaigned for the case to be investigated and was supported by Naz Shah, the local MP in Bradford. Ms Shah said he had had to be placed under 24-hour police protection after receiving death threats.

In his confession, Ms Shahid’s former husband, who is also her cousin, reportedly said he had demanded she leave her second husband and remarry him, but she refused to do so.

It has been reported that Mr Kazam belongs to the Shia branch of Islam and that Ms Shahid had joined it and this may have been another reason why some members of her Sunni family strongly disapproved.

Abubakar Khuda Bakhsh, the investigating officer in the case, said “Once, facts are established, we would be in a better position to say if it is an honour killing or a murder as revenge.” It seems that claiming this as an “honour killing” rather than a revenge killing would be seen as a defence in Pakistan.

Ms Shahid’s death came days after the high-profile so-called honour killing of social media star Qandeel Baloch, whose brother has been arrested. Ms Baloch’s death led the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, to announce that the government would pass long-delayed legislation outlawing so-called honour killing. The new law is still pending.

Every year in Pakistan, more than 1000 women are reported to have been killed in so-called honour killings – almost always by father’s, husbands and brothers. The actual figures are likely to be much higher.

Note: This report was drawn from reports in the BBC, the Daily Mirror and the Guardian

Died 23rd March 2016

Lynne Freeman (46) and Jodie Betteridge (30) died in Redcar, Cleveland on 23rd March 2016 in attacks less than a mile away from each other.

Cleveland Police have charged a man with their murder.

One of the women was reported to have been attacked at an address in Mapleton Crescent, Redcar, at 8.45pm. Just seven minutes later, at 8.52pm, a second report was received from a member of the public that a woman was being violently assaulted in Byland Close. One woman was reported to have been disabled.

Ms Freeman was mother and grandmother and an active volunteer in her church. Ms Betteridge was also reported to be a devoted mother.

Died 6th November 2014

Cerys Yemm (22) from Blackwood was murdered on 6th November 2014 at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, Argoed, Caerphilly, South Wales.

Ms Yemm was killed by Matthew Williams (34). Security staff at the hotel reportedly found her terribly injured and cannibalised with the killer eating her face.

After the police were called Williams was tasered and died while under arrest. Ms Yemm was later pronounced dead.

Ms Yemm was a popular young woman, a well known shopworker who worked at Next.

It seems she had met Williams in a pub hours before her death where he was heard to offer to get her a taxi home. Williams had been released from prison two weeks earlier after serving less than half of a 5 year sentence for attacking his former partner,
Emma Thomas.

He was it seems not subject to any probation service monitoring, despite the fact his former parter lived close by and could have been at risk.

He had a reputation for violence and there were reports he may have been high on drugs.

Ms Thomas said: “He made my life hell. I’ve had nothing to do with him since we broke up more than two years ago. It is a terrible shock and I’m very sad that this has happened.”

The Sirhowy Arms Hotel is a halfway house for ex-offenders.

Note: This report was drawn from reports in the Daily Mail and the BBC.

FOD Comment:

Ms Yemm’s terrible death is not being investigated by the IPCC, despite the fact that Williams was an unsupervised violent offender and known to be a danger to women. In addition, it seems a single female police officer was sent to this extraordinarily violent incident.

Williams death in police custody is however under investigation by the IPCC.

Found Dead 27th October 2014

Duksha Lad (44) and her daughters, Trisha Lad (19) and Nisha Lad (17) were found dead on 27th October 2014 at home in Blackberry Way, Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Ms Lad worked in a clerical capacity for Bradford City Council. Trisha was studying medical biochemistry at the University of Leeds and Nisha had just completed her GCSEs at Thornton Grammar School, which Trisha had also attended.

Jatindra Lad (49), Ms Lad’s husband and the girls’ father, is believed to have murdered them before hanging himself. Lad also worked for Bradford council.

Police have launched a murder investigation, but said they are not looking for anybody else in relation to the deaths. Officers were called to the house after they were contacted by a neighbour who was concerned that they had not seen the family for some time.
Police said early indications suggest the bodies may have been in the property “for some time”.

Neighbours said the family were last seen on Friday when they were celebrating Diwali.

Chris Sampson, head teacher of Thornton Grammar School said the school was “shocked and deeply saddened”.

Jessica Garside, a friend of Trisha, said: “She was so lovely. She always had a bright smile on her face. She was always happy.” She added: “Even when I saw her round school she would always smile and say hello and check I’m all right.” She went on: “She’ll be missed dearly. I see pictures on Facebook of her going out in her uni life and she looks happy and now we don’t know what’s happened to her. I just hope there’s a god out there looking after her.”

Councillor David Green, leader of the local authority, said: “Local people are shocked and saddened by the news of this terrible event and our sympathy goes out to the wider family, friends and neighbours of this family. The husband and wife of the family… both worked for Bradford Council and councillors and employees are very upset after hearing the dreadful news of their deaths. Obviously, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage as the investigation into how it happened is continuing, but we would urge anyone who may have any information about this tragedy to contact the police immediately.”
Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, from West Yorkshire Police’s Protective Services , said: “This is clearly a significant incident and our investigation will be thorough as we piece together the events that have led to the deaths of a local family. The investigation is at an early stage, and while I do not want to speculate around the circumstances leading to the deaths, I am happy to confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

Superintendent Damien Miller said: “Clayton is a close-knit community and I understand that local people will be understandably upset by what has taken place and I would like to reassure people there is no wider danger to members of the public. Additional neighbourhood officers are in the area speaking to people and offering reassurance.”

Note: This report was drawn from reports in the Huffington Post and the Daily Mail.

FOD Comment: As is usual in co-called murder suicides the media have focussed on and provided more information about the presumed killer than about his victims, especially Duksha Lad. We have learned that Ms Lad’s killer was a “watersports fanatic” and chairman of the Friends of Thornton Grammar school, where “his daughters” Nisha and Trisha studied. Once again the police have treated this as a private ‘tragedy’ and have reassured the public that there is no “wider danger” to the public. The comments of Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, from West Yorkshire Police’s Protective Services (Crime), were particularly crass. He spoke of the “deaths of a local family” rather than the killing of three women. He called it a “significant incident” rather than an outrage or a dreadful crime. He went on to say “ I am happy (sic) to confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

The police really need to do better than this. They should acknowledge that domestic violence – including homicide – is widespread and that threats by abusers to kill both women and their children are far from rare. Many abusers use murders like this to further terrorise their victims. Police should reflect this in their public statements, publicise the national domestic violence helpline number and invite anyone experiencing domestic violence or threats to seek assistance.

Died 12th October 2014.

Marta Galikowska (27) and her daughters Maja (5) and Olga (1) were found dead in a house in Sherwin Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire on 12th October 2014. Marta Galikowska, Maja Galikowska and Olga Galikowska were believed to have moved to the area from Poland.

Staffordshire Police said a man, aged 27, was arrested at the scene. His relationship to the woman and girls has not been confirmed.

Chief Superintendent Martin Evans said: “Our investigation into this terrible incident continues. We must stress the need for the public and media to refrain from speculating.

Detectives are working hard to understand how these lives came to be lost. We understand the shock and sadness neighbours and local residents are feeling. We need time and some patience to establish the facts. The level of detail of the examination at the house is vital to piecing together what happened. This work will include support from a forensic pathologist.”

CS Evans said officers would also be speaking to neighbours, family and friends as part of their investigation. Members of Ms Galikowska’s family are being supported by family liaison officers.

A police spokesperson said “Local officers and police community support officers remain in the area providing reassurance to the community who are understandably shocked by this tragic incident,”

Died 12th September 2014

Mary Shipstone (7) was shot by her father on 11th September 2014 outside her home in Spring Hill, Northiam, East Sussex. Mary was flown to King’s College hospital in London where she died of her injuries shortly before 3pm the next day.

Lyndsey Shipstone (42) Mary’s mother, had left her father Yasser Alromisse (46) due to his violence. She had been living with her at a secret address in Northiam, near Rye, in East Sussex.

Alromisse, who lived in Worthing, West Sussex, was found shot dead in his car shortly after the killing.

Neighbours said Alromisse was waiting in his car for his daughter and ex-partner as they walked home from nearby Beckley Church of England primary school at 4pm. Ms Shipstone screamed: “He’s got a gun” before Alromisse shot Mary twice in the head.

Armed police arrived at the scene within minutes and found Alromisse slumped inside his car with a self-inflicted bullet wound.

In a statement issued through Sussex Police, Ms Shipstone and her son Stephen said: “We are grieving the death of our beautiful and loving Mary.”

Beckley Primary School, where Mary was a pupil, said in a statement “This is a dreadfully sad and shocking incident and the whole school community are praying for her and her family.”

After the shooting, a neighbour, Denise Berwick said “All I heard was a lady shouting and then I looked out and she was cradling her child in her arms. I have never seen anything like that before. It’s an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to the girl and her family.”

The incident raises questions for Sussex police, whose officers had been in contact with Ms Shipstone in the weeks and months leading up to the killing. Ms Shipstone is understood to have told police she was concerned about a possible attack by her ex-partner, who officers knew had a history of domestic violence.

In 2013, Ms Shipstone was moved to a secret address in the quiet village with Mary and her older son, Stephen Shipstone (21) to escape Alromisse. He was involved in a custody battle for the children and was known to pose a threat to the family due to his history of domestic violence.

Egyptian-born Alromisse is thought to have discovered their address months before the shooting due to details on court papers. He was reportedly seen a week earlier staking out the area in his Toyota Rav 4 vehicle.

Ms Shipstone married Alromisse in Liverpool in 2005 after she converted to Islam. After they separated, Ms Shipstone lived with her children in Brighton between 2009 and 2011.

Investigators are waiting to take a full account from Ms Shipstone. The case is likely to face investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The Guardian reported that as at 15th September 2014 the IPCC had not yet received a referral from Sussex police.

The force declined to comment on any warnings it may have received about Alromisse. A spokesman said: “We’re investigating the circumstances of how Alromisse came to be at the house in Northiam. At this stage, we are still trying to confirm how he discovered the address.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, said: “The untimely and tragic death of Mary Shipstone has no doubt had a profound effect on her family, the local community and everyone who knew her. In my role as PCC, I will be closely following the progress of the police investigation and the circumstances around Mary’s death.”

After the shooting, Detective Chief Inspector Jason Taylor said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and there are still a large amount of inquiries being carried out before we can confirm the full picture of what happened. We are currently trying to establish Mr Alromisse’s movements over the last few days and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard from him. At this time however, I am not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation and believe this to be an isolated incident.”

Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor, divisional commander for Sussex Police in East Sussex, said: “This was a tragic domestic incident that has had the most terrible of outcomes for the family. We are working with partner agencies and local leaders to support and reassure the community who are understandably upset about what has happened.
We are trying to be as open and honest with the public as we can but have to take into account the traumatic experience the family is going through as well as the fact that this is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has any concerns about the safety of their neighbourhood I would urge them to contact us but we are sure this was an isolated incident and that no one else is in any danger.”

Shot in the Head 11th September 2014

A young girl from was shot in head in Spring Hill, Northiam, East Sussex in what the police called a ‘domestic incident’ on 11th September 2014. She is reported to be in a “life-threatening” condition.

A man thought to be her father has been found dead.

The girl, of primary school age, was taken to King’s College Hospital in London with a “serious” gunshot wound.

Police said it was a “domestic incident” and that they do not believe anyone else was involved. They are not treating the death as suspicious.

Armed officers who went to the scene after reports a gunman was at large found the man’s body in a car parked outside the address. The area around Spring Hill has been sealed off by police investigators.

Sussex Police confirmed the girl and the man were known to each other.

Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor said: “We are treating this as a tragic domestic incident and do not believe that anyone else is involved. At this stage we are not in a position to confirm the relationships of all those involved but we can say that the girl and the man knew each other. The man does not live at the address. We are treating this as an isolated incident and there is no evidence that any other members of the public are at risk.”

Villager Anthony Burr said: “At round 4pm, I came back and heard what I thought was a firearm about 200 yards from our house.”

Sussex Police spoke to local residents, partly to get information about the incident, but also in an attempt to reassure them. The key message they have been trying to get out is that the incident has been contained.

Note: This report was drawn from a report on the BBC.

FOD Comment: Once again we note that police officers refer to life threatening violence against women and girls as “a tragic domestic incident”, thus minimising its seriousness. In fact, this shooting appears to have been attempted murder of a child by a man who then apparently killed himself. This is not “tragic”. It is an outrage and a heinous crime.

Died 5th April 2014.

Kayleigh Palmer (16) of Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire died on 5th April 2014 of strangulation. On 2nd April 2014 she was found unconscious in Humber Road, Cheltenham with a scarf around her neck. She died 3 days later in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. She was 5 months pregnant and a year 11 student at Cleeve School.

Kaleigh Palmer’s boyfriend Aston Robinson (18) was arrested and charged with attempted murder. After her death he was charged with murder.

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed consideration was being given to the possibility of charges in relation to the death of Kayleigh-Anne’s unborn child.

After her death, a spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “A teenage girl assaulted in Cheltenham on Wednesday has died in hospital in Gloucester. Emergency services were called to a house on Humber Road in the town just after midday. A short while later a 16-year-old girl was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where she sadly died at around 11am on Saturday.”

Kayleigh was due to sit her GCSEs exams later in the year she died. Rob Broadbridge, Kayleigh’s headmaster at Cleeve School praised her for her “determination, kindness and vibrant personality”. He added: “We’re deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic death of Kayleigh Palmer [and] our thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends and all who knew her at this very sad time.”

She was reported to be thrilled to be expecting a baby. One of Kayleigh’s friends said: “It wasn’t just her that died – she had a new life inside her and she was so looking forward to giving birth and being a mum. It’s a double tragedy for her and her family.”

Kayleigh’s mother Helen Bage said: “Kay was so beautiful inside and out. She was very loving towards family and friends and always remained loyal to us all. You always knew when Kay was around because she had the most wicked sense of humour and always made people laugh. Her personality lit up every room she entered.”

Her father Dean Palmer said: “Kay was my beautiful daughter. She was great company and had a great sense of humour. I was the first to hold her and I’m devastated she won’t ever get the chance to hold her own baby.”

Kayleigh’s grandparents Michael Bage and Carole Bage said: “From the moment our grand-daughter Kay was born, we were privileged to be a part of her life. We gave her our unconditional love and in return she gave us so much more. Both she and her friends filled our home for many years with fun and laughter but sadly this can be no longer. Kay was so beautiful inside and out.” They added “Thankfully, nothing is more precious than all the memories we hold dear of our beautiful Kay who was so very special to us. We loved you so much Kay and you will always be in our hearts.”

After her death a friend Jodie Preedy (16) said: “Kay was a beautiful girl. Words can’t describe how devastated I am. My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this sad time. She was so innocent and didn’t deserve any of this. She will be dearly missed.”

Chairman of Bishop’s Cleeve Parish Council, Peter Lightfoot, said: “We are all shocked that something like this can happen and want to express our sympathy to her friends, family and the school at what is a really difficult time. It is particularly tragic when something like this happens to someone so young, who has their whole life ahead of them. The school is a really important part of the community for the council and we are thinking of them at this difficult time.”

CPS District Crown Prosecutor Allie Longhorn said: “Having examined the file of evidence presented to us by Gloucestershire Constabulary, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Aston Robinson with the murder of Kayleigh Palmer and that it is in the public interest to do so. Aston Robinson now stands charged with an extremely serious criminal offences and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be published which could prejudice that trial.”

The case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by the force, because there had been previous contact between Kayleigh and the police.

Police continue to investigate and are appealing for anybody with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Note: This report was drawn from reports in the Daily Mail and Gloucestershire Echo.

Died 24th July 2013

Jane Wiggett (57) was beaten and strangled to death at her home in Mendip Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 24th July 2013.

In August 2014, Daniel Spencer (59), her former husband, of Prestbury Road, Cheltenham, was convicted of her murder. He was jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 16 years.

Ms Wiggett remained married to Spencer for 30 years, during which she twice reported him to the police for grabbing her by the throat. She divorced him in 2005. She weighed just seven-and-a-half stone.

After killing Ms Wiggett, Spencer placed her body inside her bed, with pillows and blankets tucked around her, before telling friends and family she had gone on holiday. Her body was discovered three weeks later.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Wiggett had been hit before her death by strangulation. Traces of Spencer’s blood were discovered under her fingernails.

Concerns began to grow when Ms Wiggett failed to turn up for appointments and a search party of friends and relatives gained entry to her home two days later. They looked round the property, but did not spot the body as it had been hidden beneath the “carefully” made bed.

Spencer told Ms Wiggett’s relatives that she was on holiday in Penzance, Cornwall and in contact with him by phone. However, Ms Wiggett was reported missing to police on 15th August and officers discovered her body the following morning.

Police contacted Spencer, who promised to hand himself in but actually attempted to flee the country. He fled north before staying at a hotel in Birmingham airport under a false name. A member of staff at the hotel recognised him from a police appeal and called officers, who arrested him.

Spencer denied killing Ms Wiggett during his trial before Mr Justice Hamblen at Bristol Crown Court, but a unanimous jury convicted him of murder.

Prosecutor Richard Smith QC told the jury Spencer was a “jealous” and violent man, who repeatedly lied to cover up what he had done. Mr Smith said: “On Wednesday July 24 last year, this defendant visited his then ex-wife in her flat in Cheltenham,” Mr Smith said. “Something happened to anger him and upset him. There was something of a struggle. Jane Wiggett resisted, it seems, his attack upon her. But the defendant took her by the throat and this time it culminated in him taking her life. He put and left Jane’s body lying in her own bed, positioned on her back. Her face was covered with a pillow, her quilt was then carefully put over her as if to hide the fact that she was dead inside.”

On sentencing, the Judge said: “During the evening or night of the 24 July of last year her life was taken away from her. It was taken away by you, Daniel Spencer, her ex-husband. As the jury found you murdered her by strangulation. We do not know exactly what happened in Jane’s flat that night because you deprived Jane of her voice and you have chosen not to use yours by denying the crime and not giving evidence. You were bullying and controlling towards her.” He added, echoing something the prosecutor had said “ It appears that Jane couldn’t live with you but nor could she live without you. That was a mistake that was to prove fatal.”

Note: This report was drawn from reports in the Daily Mail and ITV.

FOD Comment:

We deplore comments by prosecutors and judges which seem to criticise victims’ judgement or imply or suggest that victims have any responsibility for their own deaths. Ms Wiggett died because her former husband was jealous and violent not because “ she ‘couldn’t live with’ her killer and ‘couldn’t live without him’. It is painful enough for loved ones when defence lawyers pillory victims, but when prosecutors suggest that they are foolish and judges echo this sentiment at sentencing, it is surely the final insult.

Found dead on 19th August 2014

Elaine Flanagan was found dead in the back garden of her house in Wigan Road, Leigh on 19th August 2014. She is believed to have been in her late 50s to early 60s.

Police officers discovered Ms Flanagan’s body just after midnight after they were called to the property by a concerned member of the public. Some reports suggested that her death took place on or around 25th July 2014.

Her husband Thomas Flanagan (57) was later arrested and then charged with her murder.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of her death was inconclusive and further tests are taking place.

Flanagan was remanded in custody at Wigan Magistrates’ Court to appear at Liverpool Crown Court.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Note: This report was drawn from a report on the BBC, Leigh Journal and the Manchester Gazette.